THN.com Blog: Picture perfect

Milan Lucic has played only 10 games this season and is sidelined with an injury for the second time. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Sam McCaig
2009-11-28 10:35:00

So, the two biggest stories coming out of Toronto this week have been Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke’s son, Brendan, sharing the fact that he’s gay, and the apparent firing of long-time team mascot Carlton the Bear. (Not to be too flippant, but whatever takes everyone’s mind off of the Leafs, right?)

Congratulations to Brendan for his bravery in coming out, and to all those who have supported him, from the Miami (Ohio) University hockey team, where 20-year-old Brendan serves as the student manager for the top-ranked squad in U.S. college hockey, to his father, Brian, who went on TSN to discuss the matter.

As the elder Burke said, we look forward to the day that this isn’t “a story.” That day hasn’t come yet, but this is a long-overdue step in that direction.

As for Carlton, well, the Bear insists the rumors aren’t true, that there is no way he’s headed for forced hibernation.

A REVERSAL OF SCHEDULEIt was a weird week in the NHL schedule, no doubt due to U.S. Thanksgiving on Thursday. There were 10 games on Monday – compared to the usual one or two – and then just one game on Tuesday. On Wednesday, an astounding 14 games – only Columbus and Vancouver were inactive – followed by just two games on Thursday, which is usually the second-busiest day of the week (after Saturday). And then things got fast and furious with 12 games on Friday and 13 on Saturday.

In other words, 22 of the league’s 30 teams played three games in four nights…but even that couldn’t prevent the Lions from getting thumped again.

BOSTON’S MISSING MONSTERUnfortunately for the Boston Bruins, they’re seeing this guy about as often as they’re seeing this guy.

THE PEANUT GALLERYIt’s been a long week; we just closed an Olympic preview magazine as well as a regular issue, and we could all use a laugh around here. Without further ado, I give you some of the best (Internet-available) pictures in the game of hockey:

Brad May, back in his days with Vancouver, redefines close checking...